This park harbours a wetland of international importance (a Ramsar site), which provides refuge to thousands of waders migrating from the northern hemisphere to spend the southern summer.
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| West Coast National Park travel info | West Coast Wonder |
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West Coast National Park travel info The 20000ha park, situated 122km north of Cape Town, was proclaimed in 1985 to protect a portion of the Cape west coast, the Langebaan Lagoon - the heart of the park - and an adjoining tract of land. This famous wetland of international importance (a Ramsar site) harbours thousands of waders which migrate from the northern hemisphere to spend the southern summer here. The off-shore islands offer predator-proof roosts and nesting sites for an estimated three-quarters of a million seabirds. The park supports 25% of the world population of Cape gannets, 12% of the population of the African oyster catcher and 70000 migratory waders, and is one of the world's richest fish sources. It also contains 40% of the world's strandveld fynbos.
The Geelbek bird hide, situated in a salt-marsh and mudflat feeding area, is one of the best spots to study waders between September and April, at close range. At Seeberg, up to 400 flamingoes can be observed at high tide during winter. Malgas Island is breeding ground to a quarter of the world's Cape Gannet population. It may be visited by boat under the guidance of a park official.
Life on the west coast is dominated by the Benguela current and the rich marine life associated with the upwelling of cold fertile water. This accounts not only for the huge kelp beds and the abundance of fish, crayfish, abalone, seabirds and mammals, but also for the arid climate and cool sea breeze. In spring (August to October) the park is ablaze with wild flowers - a major attraction.
The Langebaan Lagoon is zoned to benefit both man and nature and is a popular yachting venue. It is also a prime boardsailing site, with daily southerlies in summer of 20+ knots.
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